Southwestern Entomologist (2010) 35, 121-128

James A. Reinert and S. Bradleigh Vinson (2010)
Preference among turfgrass genera and cultivars for colonization by Rhodesgrass mealybug, Antonina graminis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)
Southwestern Entomologist 35 (2), 121-128
Abstract: The Rhodesgrass mealybug (Antonina graminis) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is resurging as an important pest of turfgrass across Texas and the Southeastern United States. This mealybug is known to feed on many warm-season turfgrasses and pasturegrasses. Twenty-seven cultivars from nine genera of turfgrass were evaluated for susceptibility and preference by the mealybug. Cultivars of kikuyugrass (Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst) and bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) were significantly more susceptible than cultivars of seven other genera of turfgrass. Cultivars of St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze], buffalograss [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm], and zoysiagrass (Zoysla spp.), each exhibited susceptibility of >2 mealybugs per 7.5 × 7.5-cm plant. Populations did not exceed < 0.5 mealybug per plant on centipedegrass [Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack.], seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaglnatum Swartz), bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge), or tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb).
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): James A. Reinert

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Antonina graminis	Cenchrus (crop)	U.S.A. (mid S)
	Antonina graminis	Cynodon (crop)	U.S.A. (mid S)
	Antonina graminis	Zoysia (crop)	U.S.A. (mid S)
	Antonina graminis	Stenotaphrum (crop)	U.S.A. (mid S)
	Antonina graminis	Bouteloua (crop)	U.S.A. (mid S)